Billings MT vs Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Billings, MT
Montana · Population: 118,321
- Median HH Income$71,855
- Median Home Price$398,212
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+37.0%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Billings
118,321
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Billings
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Billings
38.1
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Billings
2.0%
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
White
Billings
86.3%
Billings +
Charleston
72.9%
Black
Billings
1.0%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Billings
0.9%
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Hispanic
Billings
7.2%
Billings +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Billings
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,321 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 2.0% | 5.4% | Charleston + |
| White | 86.3% | 72.9% | Billings + |
| Black | 1.0% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 0.9% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.2% | 5.9% | Billings + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Billings
$71,855
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Billings
$42,639
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Billings
$62,117
Billings +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Billings
3.5%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Billings
10.6%
Billings +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Billings
37.0%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,855 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,639 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,117 | $54,550 | Billings + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.0% | Billings + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.0% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Billings
$398,212
Billings +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Billings
64.8%
Billings +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $398,212 | $593,739 | Billings + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.8% | 55.6% | Billings + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
433
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Billings
1984
Billings +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1984 | 1999 | Billings + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
33.9%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.5%
Charleston
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Billings
18.0%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Billings
9.4%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Billings
20.0%
Billings +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Billings
14.1%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 22.9% | Billings + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
47.7°F
Billings +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Billings
14.8 in
Billings +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 65.9°F | Billings + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.8 in | 51.0 in | Billings + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Billings
7.4 µg/m³
Billings +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Billings
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Billings + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Billings
18.0 min
Billings +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Billings, MT | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.0 min | 25.4 min | Billings + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while billings offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $398,212. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Billings. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Billings has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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